ACT Alumni Outcomes Survey (Work Colleges Consortium Project administered online) (Graduates from 1992-93 through 2006-07) Response Rate: 29% (482/1648)
Section I: Background Information 1. Which of the following best describes your primary work status at this time? Employed full time Caring for my family/home full time Serving in the military Employed part time Continuing my education part time and employed Continuing my education part time Continuing my education full time Unemployed, seeking employment Unemployed, not seeking employment Other 2. For each degree/certificate/diploma below that you have complete, indicate if you did so at this school or at another school. Vocational/technical certificate/diploma Associate or other two-year degree Bachelor s or other four-year degree Master s or other five-year degree Specialist or other six-year degree Doctorate (PhD, EdD, etc.) Professional (MD, JD, etc.) 3. In what major/field did you earn your first degree/certificate/diploma from this school? Agriculture and Forestry Allied Health and Nursing Applied Arts Architecture and Design Business Communications Computer and Information Sciences Conservation and Environmental Studies Education Engineering Fine and Performing Arts (e.g., Music, Dance, Drama) General Studies Hospitality and Culinary Arts Liberal Arts and Humanities Life Sciences (e.g., Biology, Pre-Med) Mathematics Physical Sciences Public Services, Criminal Justice, and Fire Science Religious Studies Social Sciences Sports Management Other Administered Summer 2010 Page 1
4. What is the highest educational attainment of your father/mother (or male or female guardian)? Some high school or less High school diploma or GED certificate Some college, no degree/certificate Vocational/technical degree/certificate Associate Degree Bachelor s Degree Master s Degree Doctorate/Professional Degree (PhD, MD, EdD, JD) Don t know Administered Summer 2010 Page 2
Section II: Employment History and Experiences 5. Select the response below that best describes the type of organization by which you are now employed. If two responses apply equally to your organization, select them both. Not-for-profit educational organization Service organization Church or mission organization The military For-profit organization or business Other, please describe 6. In what field is your current job? Agriculture and Forestry Allied Health and Nursing Applied Arts Architecture and Design Automotive and Trades Business Communications Computer and Information Sciences Conservation and Environment Education Fine and Performing Arts (e.g., Music, Dance, Drama) Hospitality and Culinary Arts Liberal Arts and Humanities Life Sciences Mathematics Mechanical and Engineering Medical Physical Sciences Public Services, Criminal Justice, and Fire Science Religion Social Sciences Sports Management Other 7. How closely related is your current job to the major/field in which you received your most recent degree/certificate/diploma? (Scale: Highly related; Moderately related; Slightly related; Not at all related) 8. How well did your experiences at this school prepare you for your current job? (Scale: Exceptionally well; More than adequately; Adequately; Less than adequately; Very poorly; Not at all; I am not presently employed) Administered Summer 2010 Page 3
9. In what field/major was your first, full-time job after completing your first program at this school? Agriculture and Forestry Allied Health and Nursing Applied Arts Architecture and Design Automotive and Trades Business Communications Computer and Information Sciences Conservation and Environment Education Fine and Performing Arts (e.g., Music, Dance, Drama) Hospitality and Culinary Arts Liberal Arts and Humanities Life Sciences Mathematics Mechanical and Engineering Medical Physical Sciences Public Services, Criminal Justice, and Fire Science Religion Social Sciences Sports Management Other 10. How closely related was your first full-time job to the major/field in which you received your first degree/certificate/diploma from this school? (Scale: Highly related; Moderately related; Slightly related; Not at all related) Administered Summer 2010 Page 4
Section III: Educational Outcomes 11. Below is a list of abilities or skills one might expect to develop while pursuing a postsecondary education. IMPORTANCE: First, indicate your opinion of the importance of the skill in an individual s efforts to be personally/professionally successful in today s world. (Scale: Major importance; Moderate importance; Minor importance; No importance) IMPACT OF SCHOOL EXPERIENCES: Then, indicate the impact of your experiences at this school on your attainment of each skill. (Scale: Major impact; Moderate impact; Minor impact; No impact) Developing original ideas and/or products Thinking objectively about beliefs, attitudes, and values Making and exercising a lifelong commitment to learning Living my personal and professional life according to my own standard/ethic Defining and solving problems Appreciating and exercising my rights, responsibilities, and privileges as a citizen Accessing and using a variety of information sources Getting along with people from various cultures, races, backgrounds, etc. Recognizing and using effective communications skills Developing and using effective leadership skills Understanding and appreciating cultural and ethnic differences between people Learning about existing and emerging career options Understanding the interaction of human beings and the environment Analyzing and drawing conclusions from various types of data Recognizing and using effective written communication skills Understanding and appreciating art, music, literature, etc. Getting along with people whose attitudes and opinions are different from mine Working cooperatively in groups; working as a team leader Understand international issues (political, economic, etc.) Developing a healthy lifestyle Actively participating in community service Administered Summer 2010 Page 5
Section IV: Educational Experiences 12. Rate this college on each of the factors below, using the scale provided. (Scale: High = 5; Low = 1) Quality of academic programs Sense of individual belonging on this campus Cost of attendance Opportunities for student involvement in campus activities Cultural/ethnic diversity on campus Availability of computer system, services, equipment, labs, etc. Opportunities for student/faculty interaction Flexibility of degree requirements Availability of cultural/fine arts/speaker programs 13. Indicate your level of satisfaction with each aspect of this school listed below (Scale: Very satisfied; Satisfied; Neutral; Dissatisfied; Very dissatisfied; No opinion/not applicable) Variety of instructional approaches used in the classroom Campus response to needs of physically challenged individuals Variety of courses offered Preparation for further academic study Overall quality of education Concern for me as an individual College response to older/nontraditional students Transfer of course credits from other colleges, schools to this college Class size relative to the type of course Multicultural content of courses Campus acceptance of individuals regardless of their sexual orientation General condition of building and grounds Quality of the program in my major/field 14. If you could begin again, would you attend this school (Scale: Definitely yes; Probably yes; Uncertain; Probably no; Definitely no) 15. Overall, how would you rate this school (for the time during which you were attending it)? (Scale: Excellent; Good; Average; Poor) 16. Would you recommend this school to a friend or acquaintance who asked your opinion? (Scale: Yes, without reservation; Yes, with some reservations; No) Administered Summer 2010 Page 6
17. Indicate the extent to which you agree/disagree with each of the following statements about this school. (Scale: Strongly agree; Agree; Neutral; Disagree; Strongly disagree) The General Education or core requirements at this school were a valuable component on my education Most faculty were readily available to students outside of class time Overall, there was a campus atmosphere of ethnic, political, and religious understanding and acceptance There was a sense of personal safety/security on the campus The financial aid available was adequate for my needs School policies and practices provided adequate and appropriate support for victims of harassment, crime, etc. Overall, the school had an intellectually stimulating atmosphere The campus was, generally, free from harassment (e.g., sexual, racial, etc.) Administrators at the campus respected and were responsive to student input Academic success was encouraged and supported at this school I encountered few course scheduling or course availability problems 18. To what degree do you agree with the following statement concerning the Work Program? (Scale: Strongly agree; Agree; Neutral; Disagree; Strongly disagree) My Work Program Experience Was an important way to reduce my college costs Helped prepare me for my first job Helped prepare me for my current job (if different) Helped me develop a sense of responsibility and accountability Helped me build self-confidence Helped me to become more involved in my community Helped me to learn to effectively solve problems Helped me develop good communication skills Helped me use effective leadership skills Helped me to learn how to work cooperatively in groups/teams Helped me to appreciate the value and dignity of work Helped me understand the importance of getting along with people from various cultures, races, backgrounds, etc. Helped me to get along with people with different attitudes and opinions Was a meaningful part of my college experience Increased my ability to continue my education after graduation Helped me to learn the importance of service to others Helped me to understand the importance of providing community service after college Administered Summer 2010 Page 7
Section V: Activities and Organizations 19. For each type of activity or organization listed below, indicate your level of involvement while you were attending this school. Then indicate your level of involvement in that activity or organization at the current time. (Scale: High level of involvement; Average level of involvement; Low level of involvement; No involvement) Professional Religious Service Environmental Political Social Cultural Youth-oriented (including sports) Sports/athletics (adult level) K-12 level schools (e.g., PTA) Community Section VI: Additional Questions 20. Describe how the overall Work Program helped prepare you for work after graduating from college. 21. Please explain how your individual Work Program positions helped prepare you for future jobs. 22. Please explain how your Work Program positions contributed to your ability to collaborate with individuals with different backgrounds and/or viewpoints from your own. 23. Describe how your Work Program positions helped you learn about service to others 24. Please give any suggestions you may have to improve the College or Work Program. Administered Summer 2010 Page 8